Demanding complete prohibition of Russian ships, the US Consulate wrote to Mumbai’s port authority.
Source: US consulate suggesting ban on russian ships – Bing images
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday replied to the US Consulate General’s letter to the Port Authority of Mumbai admonishing them to not allow Russian vessels at the port. The MEA clarified that the relevant embassy has been advised to use an appropriate channel for any such diplomatic communication.
New Delhi took objection to the directive of banning Russian ships asserting that “it is our sovereign right to deal with global partners in the national interest.” In an attempt to obstruct India from receiving imports from Russia of crude oil and other important commodities, the letter was written by the US Consulate.
The Mumbai Port Authority, after receiving the letter, wrote to the Directorate General of Shipping. The latter authority then involved the MEA to seek help and direction in the said matter. Such directives question India’s sovereignty and decision making.
“Seems the Biden admin has shifted tactics when pressuring India. Instead of speaking directly to New Delhi, the US consulate in Mumbai writes a letter to Mumbai Port Authority to bar Russian ships. Of course, New Delhi found out. Silly move by the US,” tweeted Dered J. Grossman from the RAND Corporation.
India Reacts:
MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi clarified on the issue saying, “The matter has come to our attention. The relevant embassy has been advised that the appropriate channel for any such diplomatic communication is through the Ministry of External Affairs and the embassy in New Delhi.”
He further added, “On the larger issue of economic and trade linkages with Russia, I think our position has been articulated quite clearly on a number of occasions in the past and I have no specific update to share on that.”
Indian Market and Oil Imports:
Russia-Ukraine war has led to the prior being banned from the world’s scene. The US and allies have imposed restrictions on Russia, but India has traded with its long term ally the Soviet without hesitation. Indo-Russia friendship has been sworn on which usually is a point of discouragement of the US.
Being marred from trade, Russia has been offering heavy discounts on petrol and petroleum products, due to which India has been buying excessively to realise its needs. For the past month India, like the rest of the world, was struggling with a hike in petrol prices, which has been soothed due to heavy discounts.
Bloomberg had recently reported that India was looking at purchasing more discounted Russian oil from Rosneft PJS. The deals for this have already been made. Though India has reprimanded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, in the view of national interest India has taken to this deal.
In the past three months, since the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine struggle began, India and China have bought natural resources worth $24 billion from Russia. Out of this, India spent $5.1 billion on natural resources which is 5 times more than the value of 2021. In May, 2022, 7,40,000 barrels arrived in India from Russia against 2,84,000 barrels that were received in April and 34,000 barrels in the same month last year.
Like other developing nations, India too needs timely delivery of fuels because a little hike can cause various problems. As is evident with the situation in Sri Lanka, rising prices of fuels due to the Russia-Ukraine war has had a great impact on nations worldwide.
The US itself struggles with a hike in fuel prices but continues demonstrating objection against the Russian Invasion. Being ideological enemies for a long time it is difficult for them to see eye to eye, an issue due to which India is caught amidst the grind.
New Delhi has time and again lucidly clarified their position to be inclined only towards the nation’s benefits and security but this does not leave either of the biggies satisfied.
Moreover, India has spoken of its stand and decision making process which is inclined in favour of the nation and its citizens. However, such muscle flexing from the US and China have been witnessed on different issues.
Though the US has not issued any public statement regarding the letter, the clarification on the part of the US will be an interesting watch.
